U.S. patent number 5,966,468 [Application Number 08/510,693] was granted by the patent office on 1999-10-12 for image processing apparatus and method therefor.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Canon Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Ryo Fujimoto.
United States Patent |
5,966,468 |
Fujimoto |
October 12, 1999 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Image processing apparatus and method therefor
Abstract
In an image processing system, a color or monochrome image
region in an image is discriminated, and communication charges are
displayed, as required when regions of the image are encoded by
appropriate encoding methods in units of the regions, and are
transmitted to a designated destination. An operator switches an
encoding method with reference to the displayed information,
thereby determining appropriate encoding methods in units of
displayed regions. Therefore, a transmission that sufficiently
reflects the operator's intention is achieved.
Inventors: |
Fujimoto; Ryo (Tokyo,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Tokyo,
JP)
|
Family
ID: |
16134606 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/510,693 |
Filed: |
August 3, 1995 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 4, 1994 [JP] |
|
|
6-183371 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
382/239; 358/453;
358/462; 358/468; 382/176; 705/400 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q
30/0283 (20130101); H04N 1/0035 (20130101); H04N
1/00384 (20130101); H04N 1/00408 (20130101); H04N
1/34 (20130101); H04N 1/40062 (20130101); H04N
1/41 (20130101); H04N 1/3333 (20130101); H04N
2201/33378 (20130101); H04N 2201/33357 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04N
1/333 (20060101); H04N 1/41 (20060101); H04N
1/34 (20060101); H04N 1/40 (20060101); H04N
1/00 (20060101); G06K 009/36 (); G06K 009/34 ();
H04N 001/387 (); H04N 001/40 () |
Field of
Search: |
;395/118,100,133,650
;358/462,453,468,467,442,448 ;382/311,310,309,176,239 ;345/902
;705/400 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Lee; Thomas D.
Assistant Examiner: Chen; Wenpeng
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper &
Scinto
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An image processing apparatus comprising:
input means for inputting an image;
dividing means for dividing the image into a plurality of image
regions;
display means for displaying information representing an encoding
method to be used together with communication cost obtained upon
execution of encoding by the encoding method in units of image
regions divided by said dividing means;
changing means for changing the encoding method;
encoding means for performing encoding in units of image regions in
accordance with the encoding method changed by said changing means;
and
output means for outputting image data encoded by said encoding
means.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said dividing means
divides the image into color and monochrome regions.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the encoding methods
in units of image regions include the JPEG encoding method for the
color region and the MMR encoding method for a monochrome
region.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said dividing means
divides the image into multi-value and binary image regions.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said dividing means
divides the image into halftone and character image regions.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display means
displays a total of the communication cost for all the image
regions divided by said dividing means.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display means
displays the communication cost obtained upon execution of encoding
by the encoding method changed by said changing means.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display means
displays the image as a background image.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display means
displays boundary lines in units of image regions.
10. An image processing apparatus comprising:
input means for inputting an image;
dividing means for dividing the image into a plurality of image
regions in accordance with image features;
setting means for setting encoding methods in units of image
regions divided by said dividing means;
display means for displaying information representing the encoding
methods set by said setting means together with communication costs
obtained upon execution of encoding by the encoding method in units
of image regions;
changing means for changing the encoding method;
encoding means for performing encoding in units of image regions in
accordance with the encoding method changed by said changing means;
and
output means for outputting image data encoded by said encoding
means.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising storage
means for storing a table for setting appropriate encoding methods
in units of image regions, and
wherein said setting means sets the encoding methods in units of
image regions in accordance with said table.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said table
includes information indicating appropriate image processing
methods in units of image regions, and
said encoding means performs encoding after image processing
operations are performed in units of image regions in accordance
with said table.
13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said dividing
means divides the image into color and monochrome regions.
14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said dividing
means divides the image into multi-value and binary image
regions.
15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said dividing
means can switch the multi-value image region to the binary image
region, or can switch the binary image region to the multi-value
image region.
16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said table sets,
as the encoding methods in units of image regions, the JPEG
encoding method for the multi-value image region and the JBIG
encoding method for the binary image region.
17. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said dividing
means further divides the image into halftone and character image
regions.
18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said changing
means can switch the halftone image region to the character image
region or can change the character image region to the halftone
image region.
19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said table sets
pseudo halftone processing for a binary halftone image region as
the image processing methods in units of image regions.
20. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said table sets
edge emphasis processing for a multi-value character image region
as the image processing methods in units of image regions.
21. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said table sets
binarization processing for a binary character image region as the
image processing methods in units of image regions.
22. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said display means
displays a total of the communication cost of all the image regions
divided by said dividing means.
23. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said displays the
communication cost obtained upon execution of encoding by the
encoding method changed by said changing means.
24. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said display means
displays the image as a background image.
25. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said display means
displays boundary lines in units of image regions.
26. A medium which stores a computer readable program for
processing an image comprising:
means for causing input of an image;
means for causing dividing of the image into a plurality of image
regions;
means for causing displaying of information representing an
encoding method to be used together with communication cost
obtained upon execution of encoding by the encoding in units of the
image regions;
means for causing changing of the encoding means;
means for causing encoding of the image in accordance with the
changed encoding method; and
means for causing output of the encoded image.
27. The medium according to claim 26,
wherein said image regions are divided in accordance with a
characteristic of the image.
28. The medium according to claim 26,
wherein said changing of the encoding method is performed by an
operator.
29. An image processing method comprising:
a dividing step of dividing an input image into a plurality of
image regions;
a display step of displaying information representing an encoding
method to be used together with communication cost obtained upon
execution of encoding by the encoding method in units of image
regions divided in the dividing step;
a changing step of changing the encoding method by an operator;
and
an encoding step of performing encoding in units of image regions
in accordance with the encoding method changed in the changing
step,
wherein image data encoded in the encoding step is output.
30. An image processing method comprising:
a dividing step of dividing an input image into a plurality of
image regions in accordance with image features;
a setting step of setting encoding methods in units of image
regions divided in the dividing step;
a display step of displaying information representing the encoding
methods set in the setting step together with communication cost
obtained upon execution of encoding by the encoding methods
respectively in units of image regions;
a changing step of changing the encoding method by an operator;
and
an encoding step of performing encoding in units of image regions
in accordance with the encoding method changed in the changing
step,
wherein image data encoded in the encoding step is output.
31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the setting step
includes the step of setting the encoding methods in units of image
regions in accordance with a table in which appropriate encoding
methods are set in units of image regions in advance.
32. The method according to claim 31, wherein said table includes
information indicating appropriate image processing methods in
units of image regions, and
the encoding step includes the step of performing encoding after
image processing operations are performed in units of image regions
in accordance with said table.
33. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display means
displays the plurality of image regions divided by said dividing
means, and displays an encoding method to be used and communication
cost upon execution of encoding by the encoding method in each
display area in which each image region is displayed.
34. An image processing apparatus comprising:
input means for inputting an image;
dividing means for dividing the image into a plurality of image
regions;
display means for displaying information representing an encoding
method to be used together with communication time obtained upon
execution of encoding by the encoding method in units of image
regions divided by said dividing means;
changing means for changing the encoding method;
encoding means for performing encoding in units of image regions in
accordance with the encoding method changed by said changing means;
and
output means for outputting image data encoded by said encoding
means.
35. An image processing method comprising:
an input step of inputting an image;
a dividing step of dividing the image into a plurality of image
regions;
a display step of displaying information representing an encoding
method to be used together with communication time obtained upon
execution of encoding by the encoding method in units of image
regions divided in the dividing step;
a changing step of changing the encoding method;
an encoding step of performing encoding in units of image regions
in accordance with the encoding method changed in the changing
step; and
an output step of outputting image data encoded in the encoding
step.
36. An image processing apparatus comprising:
input means for inputting an image;
dividing means for dividing the image into a plurality of image
regions;
display means for displaying information representing an encoding
method to be used together with communication cost obtained upon
execution of encoding by the encoding method in units of image
regions divided by said dividing means;
changing means for changing the encoding method;
updating means for updating communication cost displayed by said
display means in accordance with the encoding method changed by
said changing means.
37. An image processing method comprising:
an input step of inputting an image;
a dividing step of dividing the image into a plurality of image
regions;
a display step of displaying information representing an encoding
method to be used together with communication cost obtained upon
execution of encoding by the encoding method in units of image
regions divided in the dividing means;
a changing step of changing the encoding method;
an updating step of updating communication cost displayed in the
display step in accordance with the encoding method changed in the
changing step.
38. An image processing apparatus comprising:
input means for inputting an image;
dividing means for dividing the image into a plurality of image
regions;
display means for displaying information representing an encoding
method to be used together with communication time obtained upon
execution of encoding by the encoding method in units of image
regions divided by said dividing means;
changing means for changing the encoding method;
updating means for updating communication time displayed by said
display means in accordance with the encoding method changed by
said changing means.
39. An image processing method comprising:
an input step of inputting an image;
a dividing step of dividing the image into a plurality of image
regions;
a display step of displaying information representing an encoding
method to be used together with communication time obtained upon
execution of encoding by the encoding method in units of image
regions divided in the dividing means;
a changing step of changing the encoding method;
an updating step of updating communication time displayed in the
display step in accordance with the encoding method changed in the
changing step.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a
method therefor and, more particularly, to an image processing
apparatus and method therefor which processes an image including
image regions which have to be respectively coded corresponding to
different proper encoding methods.
Conventionally, in a facsimile apparatus which transmits a color
image, a technique has been examined for improving the transmission
efficiency and image quality by selecting an appropriate encoding
method upon transmission depending on whether the image to be
transmitted is a color or monochrome image. As a method of
determining whether the image is a color or monochrome image, a
method of manually selecting a color or monochrome image by an
operator, and a method of automatically discriminating a color or
monochrome image in the apparatus have been examined. In order to
automatically discriminate an image in the apparatus, whether the
image is a color or monochrome image is discriminated on the basis
of, e.g., the ratio of R, G, and B outputs from reading
sensors.
However, recently, documents have been used which include a
complicated combination of a color image and monochrome binary
characters in one page. Since the above-mentioned conventional
facsimile apparatus discriminates whether the entire image for one
page is a color or monochrome image, it is difficult to obtain an
appropriate discrimination result when the image for one page
includes a complicated combination of a color image and monochrome
binary characters. For example, if the image includes even a small
color portion, the apparatus discriminates the entire image to be a
color image, and compresses the entire image by a compression
encoding method such as JPEG suitable for a color image
(especially, a natural image) upon transmission of the image. As a
result, the following problems are posed:
The total transmission amount increases, resulting in high
transmission cost.
Since the compression encoding method suitable for a color image
(especially, a natural image) is used, the quality of monochrome
characters deteriorates.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image
processing apparatus and method, which attains transmission that
sufficiently reflects an operator's intention, in such a manner
that an image is divided into a plurality of image regions in the
apparatus, and an operator determines encoding methods in units of
regions.
According to the present invention, the foregoing object is
attained by providing an image processing apparatus including input
means for inputting an image, dividing means for dividing the image
into a plurality of image regions, display means for displaying
region information including information indicating encoding
methods in units of image regions divided by the dividing means,
changing means for changing the region information, encoding means
for performing encoding in units of image regions in accordance
with the region information changed by the changing means, and
output means for outputting image data encoded by the encoding
means.
In accordance with the present invention as described above, since
the communication data amount, which is obtained when an image is
divided into a plurality of image regions and the divided regions
are encoded by appropriate encoding methods in units of regions, is
displayed, an operator can confirm and change the encoding methods.
Therefore, an operator can set appropriate encoding methods in
units of image regions to attain a required communication amount,
and can transmit an image which is encoded by these encoding
methods.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an image
processing apparatus and method, which attains transmission that
sufficiently reflects an operator's intention, in such a manner
that an image is divided into a plurality of image regions in the
apparatus, and an operator confirms and changes image features in
units of regions to set encoding methods corresponding to the image
features.
According to the present invention, the foregoing object is
attained by providing an image processing apparatus including input
means for inputting an image, dividing means for dividing the image
into a plurality of image regions in accordance with image
features, setting means for setting encoding methods in units of
image regions divided by the dividing means, display means for
displaying region information including information indicating the
encoding methods set by the setting means in units of image
regions, changing means for changing the region information,
encoding means for performing encoding in units of image regions in
accordance with the region information changed by the changing
means, and output means for outputting image data encoded by the
encoding means.
In accordance with the present invention as described above, since
the communication data amount, which is obtained when an image is
divided into a plurality of image regions, appropriate encoding
methods are set in units of regions in correspondence with image
features, and the divided regions are encoded by the set encoding
methods, is displayed together with the image features, an operator
can confirm and change the image features. Therefore, an operator
can set appropriate encoding methods in correspondence with
required image features, and can transmit an image encoded by the
set encoding methods.
The invention is particularly advantageous since the communication
cost can be minimized reflecting the operator's intention. That is,
after an image for one page is divided into regions in
correspondence with the features of images, and appropriate
encoding methods are set in units of regions, at least one of
communication cost and transmission time is displayed, and an
operator can change the encoding methods of the regions after he or
she confirms the display.
In place of the encoding methods themselves, image features in
units of regions can be set by an operator, and encoding methods
can be set in correspondence with the image features, thus allowing
more flexible setting operations of the encoding methods.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be
apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters
designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures
thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute
a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the
invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the
principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of a
facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is a view showing a display example (communication charge
mode) on a display panel 104 in the first embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the facsimile
apparatus of the first embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the transmission processing in the
first embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a view showing a display example (communication time
mode) on the display panel 104 in the first embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a view showing a display example (communication charge
mode) on the display panel 104 in the first embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the method of calculating a
"communication charge" in the first embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the transmission processing
according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of a table for setting encoding
methods in units of image regions in the second embodiment; and
FIG. 10 is a view showing a display example (communication charge
mode) on the display panel 104 in the second embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in
detail below in accordance with the accompanying drawings.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of a
color facsimile apparatus according to this embodiment. Referring
to FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a facsimile apparatus main
body; and 102, a cover of an image input unit such as a scanner.
When an operator opens the cover 102, places an original on an
image input unit (not shown), closes the cover 102, and instructs
start of transmission from an operation panel 103, an original
scanning operation is started. Reference numeral 103 denotes the
operation panel which is used for inputting a telephone number as a
transmission destination, selecting an abbreviated dial, and the
like. Reference numeral 105 denotes a key input unit which is used
by an operator to switch original regions, encoding methods,
display modes, and the like according to this embodiment. Reference
numeral 104 denotes a display panel, which comprises, e.g., an LCD,
and informs instruction contents input by the operation panel 103
and the key input unit 105, the operation state of the apparatus,
and the like to a user. Reference numeral 106 denotes a pen input
device.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the
above-mentioned color facsimile apparatus 101. Referring to FIG. 3,
reference numeral 201 denotes an image input unit, such as a color
scanner including a CCD sensor, for inputting an image; 202, a
transmission/reception processing unit for performing various kinds
of image processing including encoding processing and decoding
processing of an image for transmission and reception; 203, an
image output unit for outputting a received image; 204, a
communication unit for transmitting/receiving an image; 205, a
display unit including the above-mentioned display panel; and 206,
an operation unit including the above-mentioned operation panel 103
and key input unit 105. These units are systematically controlled
by a CPU 207. The CPU 207 comprises a ROM 208 for storing control
programs for the CPU, and a RAM 209 serving as a work area of the
CPU. Note that the transmission/reception processing unit 202 can
execute encoding and decoding methods of a plurality of types of
algorithms, as described later.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion near the display panel 104
and the key input unit 105 shown in FIG. 1. Reference numeral 301
denotes a window for displaying the telephone number of a
destination station and the like designated by the operation panel
103. Reference numeral 302 denotes a display region for displaying
regions in an original, and encoding methods, communication
charges, and the like in the regions. Reference numeral 303 denotes
a push switch for switching regions in an original, as described
later; 304, a push switch for switching encoding methods in the
transmission/reception processing unit 202; and 305, a push switch
for switching display modes.
The display region 302 includes a region 310 for displaying the
region division state of an original, and a region 320 for
displaying a charge upon transmission of an image to a destination
displayed on the window 301. The original display region 310
includes color image regions 311 to 313, and a monochrome image
region 314. These regions respectively display the corresponding
encoding methods and communication charges required upon
transmission of an image encoded by these encoding methods to a
destination displayed on the window 310.
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the transmission processing of this
embodiment. The transmission processing is described in detail
below.
In step S401, various preparation processing operations for
transmission are performed. More specifically, an operator opens
the cover 102 and sets an original on the image input unit 201.
Then, the operator inputs the telephone number of a transmission
destination using the operation panel 103. The input telephone
number of the transmission destination is displayed on the display
window 301 of the display unit 205 shown in FIG. 2 in accordance
with an instruction from the CPU 207. Thereafter, the operator
depresses a prescan start switch provided to the operation panel
103.
The flow then advances to step S402. In step S402, the original is
prescanned by, e.g., a color scanner (not shown) in the image input
unit 201 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 207, and R,
G, and B multi-value image data are input. Based on the input data,
color and monochrome regions are discriminated, and the image is
divided into regions. A color or monochrome region is discriminated
based on the ratio of R, G, and B signals in the input image data.
More specifically, a portion which satisfies the relations given
below is determined as a monochrome region, and a portion which
does not satisfy the relations is determined as a color region:
.vertline.R/G-1.vertline.<.alpha. and
.vertline.B/G-1.vertline.<.beta.
where .alpha. and .beta. are appropriate and sufficiently small
constants.
The flow then advances to step S403. In step S403, the JPEG
encoding method (JPEG ADCT method) as a non-reciprocal encoding
method for multi-value data using orthogonal transformation in
units of two-dimensional blocks is set for a color region, and the
MMR encoding method as a reciprocal encoding method for binary data
is set for a monochrome region. Note that the JPEG compression rate
is pre-stored in the RAM 209 (or ROM) as a quantization parameter,
and is a fixed value depending on the apparatus, but may be changed
by an operator using the operation unit 206.
In step S404, it is checked if the current display mode is the
"communication charge" mode. Note that the display mode is switched
by the display mode selection switch 305, and is stored in the RAM
209. In this embodiment, a default mode immediately after the power
supply of the apparatus is turned on is the "communication charge"
mode, but the present invention is not limited to this.
If YES in step S404, the flow advances to step S405, and predicted
communication charges in units of regions are displayed on the
display unit 205 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU
207. FIG. 2 above shows the display example on the display panel
104 when the display mode is the "communication charge" mode. FIG.
2 shows an example wherein an image is divided into three
independent color regions and a single continuous monochrome
region. The encoding methods of the regions and charges required
for transmitting corresponding images are displayed in units of
regions. The total charge required when the image is transmitted in
this state is displayed on the display region 320. Note that this
embodiment adopts the Japanese Yen (.Yen.) charge system but may
adopt other charge systems such as the US Dollar ($) charge system
as long as communication costs can be clearly understood.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S404 that the
current display mode is not the "communication charge" mode, i.e.,
if the current display mode is the "communication time" mode in
this embodiment, the flow advances to step S406, and predicted
communication times in units of divided regions are displayed on
the display unit 205 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU
207. FIG. 5 shows this display example. FIG. 5 displays the
communication times 315 in units of regions, while FIG. 2 displays
the communication charges 313 in units of regions. Note that the
communication charges 313 and communication times 315 to be
displayed are determined by looking up a charge table and the like
stored in the ROM 208.
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the method of calculating the
"communication charge".
In step S701, the size of a region to be processed is detected. In
step S702, the amount of code data obtained when the region of the
detected size is encoded by the encoding method set in step S403
above is calculated. In this case, the amount of code data may be
calculated by counting the code amount by executing actual encoding
or by predicting the code amount in correspondence with a standard
compression rate of the set encoding method.
In step S703, the time required for a communication is calculated
on the basis of the amount of code data and the capacity of a
communication line. In step S704, the communication charge is
calculated on the basis of the communication time and the charge
table. The flow advances to step S705 to repeat the above-mentioned
calculation of the communication charge in units of regions.
Referring back to FIG. 4, the flow advances to step S407. In step
S407, an operator confirms the communication charge or
communication time displayed on the display region 302, decides if
he or she actually wants to perform the transmission requiring the
displayed charge or time, and instructs the presence/absence of a
change using the operation unit 206.
For example, in FIG. 2, the total charge is 5,980 Yen (.Yen.). If
the operator determines in step S407 that this charge is too
expensive, the flow advances to step S408 to change the total
charge. In processing in step S408 and subsequent steps, the total
charge is changed by changing the encoding methods in units of
regions.
For example, in FIG. 2, the color region 312 is encoded by the JPEG
encoding method, and a communication of only this region costs
3,400 Yen (.Yen.). A case is examined below wherein the color
region 312 is not so important, and no serious problem is posed
even if this region is transmitted as a binary monochrome region
and a person who is to receive this image may not be able to
sufficiently understand the contents of this region due to
deterioration of the image quality.
In this case, the operator depresses the region selection switch
303 in step S408. Then, the display state of the color region 311
is inverted to inform the operator of the fact that the region 311
is selected. Furthermore, when the region selection switch 303 is
depressed once again, the color region 312 is selected in turn. In
this manner, in step S408, the operator can select the color region
(311 to 313) to be changed. Assume that the color region 312 is
selected. In this embodiment, only a color region is selectable. Of
course, a monochrome region may also be selected.
The flow then advances to step S409. In step S409, when the
operator depresses the encoding method selection switch 304, the
encoding method of the color region 312 selected in step S408 is
switched from the JPEG method to the MMR method. FIG. 6 shows this
state. As can be seen from FIG. 6, since the encoding method of the
color region 312 is switched to the MMR method, the communication
charge of the color region 312 changes to 320 Yen (.Yen.) and the
total charge displayed on the region 320 changes to 2,900 Yen
(.Yen.). In this state, when the encoding method selection switch
304 is depressed again, the encoding method of the color region 312
can be returned to the JPEG method. In this case, the displayed
communication charge of the color region 312 and the displayed
total charge also return to 3,400 Yen (.Yen.) and 5,980 Yen
(.Yen.), respectively.
In step S410, if necessary, the operator depresses the display mode
selection switch 305 to change the display mode to the
"communication time" mode. The flow then returns to step S404.
If the operator decides that he or she actually wants to perform
the transmission requiring the charge or time displayed on the
display panel 104 in step S407, the flow advances to step S411.
When the operator depresses a transmission start switch (not
shown), the color scanner or the like in the image input unit 201
performs a main scan to obtain R, G, and B multi-value image data,
and the transmission/reception processing unit 202 performs
predetermined encoding operations in units of regions for the
obtained R, G, and B multi-value image data. Thereafter, the
encoded image data are transmitted from the communication unit
204.
Note that an end key or the like other than the transmission start
switch may be provided to confirm the end of various setting
operations in step S407. Alternatively, the end of the setting
operations may be determined in a state wherein the region
selection switch 303 is continuously depressed to indicate that
none of regions are selected.
As has been described above, according to the present invention,
the encoding method for a selected color region can be arbitrarily
changed by an operator, and the communication cost can be reduced
reflecting the operator's intention.
Note that designation of a color region, selection of an encoding
method, and the like on the display region 302 of this embodiment
may be attained using the pen input device 106.
In the first embodiment described above, the displayed contents are
changed using the push switches or the pen input device. However,
the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For
example, various other selection means such as a touch panel
operated with an operator's finger, a dial, a joystick, and the
like may be used. When the above-mentioned sequence is stored in a
magnetic storage medium and is executed using a computer, the
above-mentioned selections may be realized by moving a cursor,
using a mouse or a predetermined key on a keyboard.
As for the region division method, an image is divided into color
and monochrome regions in the first embodiment described above.
However, the present invention is not limited to the method of
dividing an image into two types of regions. For example, an image
may be divided into binary and multi-value regions or a combination
of color/monochrome regions and binary/multi-value regions. Thus,
an appropriate region division method is selected in correspondence
with the characteristics of the apparatus.
In the method of separating color and monochrome regions, the
discrimination precision can be improved by adding various other
complicated processing operations. For example, the portion
satisfying a relation given below may be determined as a monochrome
region:
.vertline.(R/G) 2+(B/G) 2-2.vertline..ltoreq..gamma.
(A 2 means a square of A)
where .gamma. is a predetermined value. Alternatively, R, G, and B
data may be converted into color space data of, e.g., the L*a*b*
color space, the L*u*v* color space or the like, and regions may be
discriminated on the basis of chromaticity data.
Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the operator can change only
the encoding methods of the respective regions. However, the color
and monochrome regions discriminated in the apparatus, for example,
may be arbitrarily changed by the operator. In this case,
appropriate encoding methods may be automatically selected in
association with these changes in color/monochrome regions.
In the first embodiment described above, when an image is displayed
on the original region 310 on the display unit 302 as a background
image, the operator can select a desired region and can switch the
encoding method as needed while observing the original contents,
thus improving operability.
When the image is displayed as a background image, the display
colors of boundary lines indicating the regions, and "communication
charges" or "communication times" are set to be those which are
easy to see in accordance with the color tone of the image. In this
case, the CPU 207 automatically sets these display colors by
detecting complementary colors of the color tone of the image.
The display contents and display methods on the display panel 104
are not limited to those in the first embodiment. For example, only
an operator who has a thorough knowledge of the compression
technique understands "JPEG", "MMR", and the like. Thus, these
terms may be replaced by those which are easy to understand by
general operators. The display panel is preferably arranged on the
upper portion of the cover 102 of the scanner unit in terms of
operability.
In addition, each of a set of an encoding method, communication
cost, and communication time may be simultaneously displayed, or a
variable representing a communication amount may be displayed. When
an operator forgets to set a transmission destination or when there
are a plurality of transmission destinations as in the
multi-address communication mode, it is effective to display only a
variable representing a pertinent communication amount.
When the divided region is small, it becomes difficult to display
the contents in the region. In this case, a function of displaying
the designated region in an enlarged scale may be added.
In the first embodiment, the color region is encoded by the JPEG
method. However, the present invention is not limited to this as
long as an encoding method such as vector quantization suitable for
encoding a color image or a multi-value image is used. Also, the
encoding method for the monochrome region is not limited to the MMR
encoding method, and the MH encoding method may be used.
Furthermore, a plurality of encoding methods may be set for one
type of image to allow selection of a desired method.
<Second Embodiment>
The second embodiment according to the present invention is
described below. Note that the arrangement of an image processing
apparatus of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first
embodiment described above, and a detailed description thereof is
omitted.
FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the transmission processing of the
second embodiment. The transmission processing is described in
detail below. The processing of the second embodiment is
substantially the same as that of the first embodiment shown in the
flow chart of FIG. 4, except for step S802 which performs region
discrimination by means of a prescan operation, step S803 which
determines the encoding method, and step S809 which switches the
data format and image region. The same step numbers in FIG. 8
denote the same steps as in FIG. 4, and a detailed description
thereof is omitted.
In the second embodiment, in step S802, in addition to
monochrome/color discrimination of an image, data format
discrimination for discriminating a multi-value image region
(multi-value region) or a binary image region (limited color
region), and image region discrimination for discriminating a
character region or a halftone region are performed to discriminate
the features of an image.
Note that a multi-value (multi-color) or binary (limited color)
image region can be discriminated by counting the number of colors
on the basis of the frequency distribution of image data in a
corresponding region. On the other hand, a character or halftone
image region can be discriminated by measuring density differences
from surrounding pixels in units of pixels in a corresponding
region.
In step S803, the encoding method is set in accordance with the
table shown in FIG. 9.
The table shown in FIG. 9 is used for determining image processing
operations and encoding methods of encoding operations to be
executed by the transmission/reception processing unit 202 on the
basis of the color/monochrome, image region, and multi-value/binary
data format discrimination results. This table is pre-stored in the
ROM 208. The contents of this table are as follows.
1 Halftone Image & Multi-value Color Region
Data are encoded by the normal JPEG method without any data
conversion.
2 Halftone Image & Multi-value Monochrome Region
Luminance (density) components are extracted from R, G, and B data
and are encoded by the JPEG method.
3 Halftone Image & Binary Color Region
Pseudo halftone processing is performed in units of R, G, and B
color components by the error diffusion method or dither method,
and data are encoded by the JBIG method in units of R, G, and B
color components.
4 Halftone Image & Binary Monochrome Region
Luminance (density) components are extracted from R, G, and B data,
are subjected to pseudo halftone processing as in 3, and are
encoded by the JBIG method.
5 Character Image & Multi-value Color Region
Data are encoded by the normal JPEG method without any data
conversion.
6 Character Image & Multi-value Monochrome Region
Luminance (density) components are extracted from R, G, and B data
and are encoded by the JPEG method.
7 Character Image & Binary Color Region
Pseudo halftone processing is performed in units of R, G, and B
color components by the error diffusion method or dither method,
and data are encoded by the JBIG method in units of R, G, and B
color components.
8 Character Image & Binary Monochrome Region
Luminance (density) components are extracted from R, G, and B data,
are subjected to pseudo halftone processing as in 7, and are
encoded by the JBIG method.
Note that the table shown in FIG. 9 may be stored in the RAM 209,
and its contents may be appropriately changed as needed.
FIG. 10 shows a display example on the display region 302 of the
encoding methods set in accordance with the table shown in FIG. 9
on the basis of the region attribute discrimination results. Note
that FIG. 10 shows a display example in the communication charge
mode.
Referring to FIG. 10, reference numeral 1304 denotes a data format
(multi-value/binary) selection key; and 1305, an image region
(character/halftone) selection key. The original display region 310
includes a multi-value/monochrome/halftone image region 1311, a
multi-value/color/halftone image region 1312, a
binary/color/character image region 1313, and a
binary/monochrome/character image region 1314. Therefore, the
regions 1311, 1312, 1313, and 1314 respectively correspond to 2, 1,
7, and 8 shown in the table in FIG. 9, and display the
corresponding encoding methods and communication charges required
when these regions are encoded by the corresponding encoding
methods and are transmitted to a destination displayed on the
window 310. Note that other keys and display regions in FIG. 10 are
the same as those in FIG. 2 above, and a detailed description
thereof is omitted.
Referring back to FIG. 8, an operator switches the data format or
image region using the selection keys 1305 on the basis of the
information displayed on the display region 302 in step S809. With
this switching operation, the image processing information and the
encoding methods are changed in accordance with the table shown in
FIG. 9.
As described above, according to the second embodiment, the
features of an image are measured with high precision, and
appropriate image processing operations and encoding methods are
set. Also, a flexible change operation by an operator is
attained.
Note that the present invention can be applied to either a system
constituted by a plurality of apparatuses such as a color image
scanner, a host computer, a color printer, and the like, or an
apparatus such as a color facsimile apparatus consisting of a
single device. The present invention can also be applied to a case
wherein the invention is achieved by supplying, to the system or
apparatus, a program which realizes the above-mentioned algorithm
and is stored in a storage medium such as a floppy disk.
As described above, according to the present invention, after an
image for one page is divided into regions in correspondence with
the features of images and appropriate encoding methods are set in
units of regions, at least one of the communication cost or
transmission time is displayed. Therefore, since an operator can
switch the encoding methods of the respective regions after he or
she confirms the displayed informations, the communication cost can
be minimized by reflecting the operator's intention.
In place of the encoding methods themselves, image features in
units of regions can be set by an operator, and encoding methods
are set in correspondence with the image features, thus allowing
more flexible setting operations of the encoding methods.
As many apparently widely different embodiments of the present
invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope
thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
to the specific embodiments thereof except as defined in the
appended claims.
* * * * *